Often times, stories, short stories, and even poems contain the same theme. The theme in a piece of literature is based off the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. It is simply the crucial message of a story or poem and brings a more in depth meaning to what is being read. Themes can be expressed in many different ways, it all depends on how the writer wants to show the message to the audience. The writer can plainly state it or make it unspoken but implied. More often however, writers do not outright state the theme, they want the reader to have to read deeper into the piece to understand it. For instance, the story and poems “The Story of an Hour,” “Suicide Note”, and “To an Athlete Dying Young” all have the underlying theme of death being a easy way to freedom.
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Houseman’s “To An Athlete Dying Young” contrasts to most people 's view on life. Most believe that every person 's life must be lived to the fullest until old age and death, Houseman However, presents his idea that dying young is better. “And round that early laureled head, Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls, The Garland briefer than a girls.” He expresses the best he can that death, as a youth, is a win over the gathering hardships and grief that come along with life. The athlete wins his race and this is seen as a memorable moment to people. Houseman believes it was smart for this young man to die in his prime, “Smart lad, to slip betimes away, From fields where glory does not stay…” This states that though the young man is dead he will always be remembered in his prime and never forgotten. Houseman believes that with early death one will not be able to see his shame after his days of greatness are over, and that dying young with achievement is better than reaching old age and have all his accomplishments forgotten. Housman’s idea of dying at a young age is him trying to say it 's better to be free of the burdens old age brings
Houseman’s “To An Athlete Dying Young” contrasts to most people 's view on life. Most believe that every person 's life must be lived to the fullest until old age and death, Houseman However, presents his idea that dying young is better. “And round that early laureled head, Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls, The Garland briefer than a girls.” He expresses the best he can that death, as a youth, is a win over the gathering hardships and grief that come along with life. The athlete wins his race and this is seen as a memorable moment to people. Houseman believes it was smart for this young man to die in his prime, “Smart lad, to slip betimes away, From fields where glory does not stay…” This states that though the young man is dead he will always be remembered in his prime and never forgotten. Houseman believes that with early death one will not be able to see his shame after his days of greatness are over, and that dying young with achievement is better than reaching old age and have all his accomplishments forgotten. Housman’s idea of dying at a young age is him trying to say it 's better to be free of the burdens old age brings